The Council on American-Islamic relations, CAIR, has cried foul about U.S. Judge William Davis’ inquiries of two Somali women before sentencing them to lengthy time in federal prison two weeks ago. But Judge Davis has an impeccable record in his public service.

He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, went to school here in Minnesota, at Macalester and the U of M. He was a criminal defense lawyer for the neighborhood Justice Center and performed many other public services. In November 1993, President Clinton appointed Davis to the U.S. District Court seat vacated by Harry H. McLaughlin. He was confirmed by the Senate in 1994.

This week, CAIR announced that it would file a complaint against Judge Davis, alleging that he inappropriately questioned two Somali women defendants and thus equated Islam with terrorism.

It is frustrating to see CAIR’s obtrusive and meddlesome behavior into Somali affairs under the auspices of the Muslim banner. In this particular case, yes, a real crime has been committed.

I, too, disagreed with the length of the sentence Judge Davis imposed on the two women, but to question the integrity of the one of the most outstanding judges in Minnesota is to evade the real issue.

Somali youths were indoctrinated and sent into harm’s way. Half of them were killed, either in the line of fire or by suicide bombing. I once sat across from a mother whose kid had gone missing, and later saw his body shot in the head and dragged down the streets of Mogadishu. I wonder who is equating Islam with terrorism here; is it the judge or CAIR and its associates bent on misleading the community on a false pretense of defending Muslims?

To my knowledge, CAIR never urged the community to express collective outrage against Al Shabaab’s menacing act of terror in Somalia, but rather, in my opinion, helped to further anti-Israel and anti-Western sentiment.

I am appalled that my community has not come out with a strong voice to condemn Al Shabaab and its likes wherever they are. It is not up to anyone else but us to once and for all deal with the macabre specter of Al Shabaab.

Omar Jamal of St. Paul is first secretary and permanent representative of the Somali Mission to the United Nations.

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